CARROLLTON, Ga. – Practice officially begins for UWG women’s basketball in just three short days, and today the Gulf South Conference released the 2017 Preseason Release with the Wolves picked fifth in the Annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Wolves were picked to finish fifth by the league’s coaches, receiving 121 points. Valdosta State was picked to finish first with 156 points while West Florida, Lee, and Union were picked second through fourth, respectively.

West Georgia returns De’Ashia Jones, who is one of just six returning All-GSC selections across the league this season. Jones, the senior from Newark, N.J. led the team in scoring last season, averaging 15.4 points per game, and pulled down 8.9 boards per game on her way to a Second Team All-GSC selection.

Both Kayla Carter and Kilah Nixon were named as top newcomers from UWG’s squad that features seven returning lettermen from last season’s team that reached the GSC Semifinals for the third time in four seasons. Carter is a senior transfer from Georgia Highlands while Nixon comes to UWG by way of Savannah State.

Practice begins for UWG women’s basketball on October 15, and the Wolves will open the season on November 10, taking on Palm Beach Atlantic at 12 noon in Tampa, Fla. in a tournament where UWG will play two games in two days to open the season. UWG will take on host Tampa on November 11 at 6 p.m.